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Collaborative Provides Science-Based Education
to Poultry Enthusiasts

An uptick in poultry farming due to the pandemic and delivery process with specialized packaging for the health,
resulting food shortages has highlighted a need for animal nutrition, and comfort of hatchlings.
welfare education, helping new and existing farmers make
“Normally the baby chicks would be fi ne,” said Weimer. “Th e
conscientious decisions about obtaining and raising birds.
problem isn’t mail-order chicks -- the problem is delayed
University of Maryland Extension (UME) poultry management
shipping due to increased volume in sales coupled with longer
and welfare specialist Shawna Weimer, and colleagues from
delivery wait times. That’s where consumer choices and making

several cooperative Extension programs, created the Poultry
conscientious decisions come in.”
Extension Collaborative (PEC) to educate farmers on making
scrupulous decisions for their animals. “New farmers can use the educational materials developed by
the PEC as a research tool or guide in poultry care and well-
Recent delays in the shipping of mail-order chicks at the already being as an integral part of their farming experience,” said
encumbered U.S. Postal Service has brought chicken welfare Prafulla Regmi, Extension specialist with North Carolina State
headlines to the forefront of news media. Delayed shipping University. “Existing producers can look forward to educational
caused numerous deaths of baby chicks in transit, presenting tools and comprehensive information on emerging issues that
biosecurity and health concerns. The PEC, developed in early will help them use management or husbandry interventions to

2020 and consisting of animal science and welfare Extension ensure optimal poultry welfare.”
specialists from UME,
“One solution is actually hatching your own chickens. You can
Chickens were in short supply during early spring due to a rise
get eggs and reasonably priced incubator kits to hatch your
in new startups as a means to improve food security during the
own babies,” she said. “If you have kids, you can create a science

pandemic. The PEC team was poised to address the need to
experiment out of it and watch the eggs incubate and hatch.”
educate these new farmers, coming together to create a website,
social platforms, and a monthly newsletter. Ordering from local tractor supply stores is another option,
although many of them may also receive their chicks through
Mail-order chicks themselves are nothing new, said Weimer.
the mail as well, Weimer said. “If you are going to order chicks,

The U.S. Postal Service began shipping chicks in 1918, and
keep tabs on them. If you’re planning to order that day, then
animal welfare science has created a standard and reliable
look at the weather for the upcoming week,” said Weimer.
“Make conscientious decisions about the welfare of your baby
chicks.”
Greater For more information on the Poultry Extension Collaborative
or to sign up for the newsletter, go to https://www.poultry-
Greensboro Open welfare-extension.com/.
GOLDSBORO Community Event
Friday, October 9

to benefit the
JOIN USFOR SWEET FUN!
Greensboro Historical Society

Saturday,
Wild Quail Golf & Country Club October 31
1 Clubhouse Dr., Wyoming, DE 6 - 8 PM

Registration at 8:30 AM. $75
Shotgun start 10 AM per Historic Train
Station Lot,
(No pre-registration necessary) player
Goldsboro, MD
Put a team together, come out and have fun,
and help raise money for the Greensboro Contact: Heather Blunt -
Historical Society. blunt401@yahoo.com
or 410-310-4902
Please remember the founder of this tournament....
The “Mayor” Tommy Riddleberger. All participants are required to wear face-coverings and practice
social distancing in accordance with CDC COVID-19 guidelines
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